SUMMER 2008
We sent our last newsletter in December 2007, and as we reflect back over the last several months, we are amazed at how full our days have been, and realize that every day is a gift from God. He continues to wonderfully supply both opportunities to serve, and resources to support our service. God takes such good care of us, and we praise Him for good health and strength and for a constant supply of all we need. We would like to share with you about some of those opportunities and resources.
OPPORTUNITIES:
A good week of revival services in February with Evangelist Glen Jaspers and wife Mary, saw several good decisions made by Christians and one man, Justin, trust Christ as Savior. Brother Glen's messages that week were geared toward Baptist history and the local church. I am presently finishing a series of messages on our doctrinal statement and church constitution in preparation to organize as a local church.
- In March, ten-year-olds Marissa and Ebony accepted Christ in Junior Church.
- Mother/Daughter banquet in May with fourteen ladies and girls attending.
- Vacation Bible School in July, conducted by Calvary Baptist Church youth group of Crawfordsville, In. Those young people came with hearts prepared to minister. Their desire was to lovingly confront all those who attended with their need of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and to encourage each one to a life of obedience to Him. Thank you to those of you who prayed with us for God's work to be done. He blessed His Word as it was preached as Ray, a teen, and nine-year-olds Rudy and Armando prayed to trust Christ as their personal Savior. Thank you Calvary youth group for allowing the Lord to use you for His glory.
RESOURCES:
- We were still rejoicing over the new hymnals God enabled us to purchase, and the 2006 15 passenger Chevy van, when a church in nearby Cottonwood, that was purchasing new chairs, gave us their old ones. They are padded, interlocking, and in great shape. How we thank the Lord for them.
- Some of you may know that our home was found to have termites and required it be “tented.” After several postponements due to weather, it was completed. This is an expensive process, and we are so thankful to a dear couple that felt the Lord would have them cover this cost for us. What a blessing!
- One of God's great resources is the way He meets needs during difficult times. We have seen this in the lives of the Beauty and Innis families. In the space of three months they have lost a four year-old granddaughter, killed by a babysitter, a cousin in his thirties shot to death, and a son severely beaten by a gang of teens. The Lord has been their strength and comfort as only He can.
- A great resource that we must have in order to continue the work among these dear people is your prayer support. How we thank you for it, and we do not take it lightly. May the Lord richly bless and encourage each of you in your walk with Him.
PRAYER REQUESTS:
- Spiritual growth in the lives of those recently saved
- Salvation of Sam Halstead and Ed Hazelwood
- Three church families that have quit attending church
- Teens would see the importance of following Christ and not give in to peer pressure
In Christ,
Gary & Beverly Messick
